How Fair Trade Has Made a Difference
The cooperative allocated $16,020 in Fair Trade premiums towards organic and Fair Trade certifications and internal control systems audits.
Product Certification
Beans & Grains Program
From some of the world's finest types of rice, such as Thai Hom Mali rice, basmati rice or jasmine rice, to lentils and chickpeas, soybeans or quinoa - the Fair Trade product family of beans and grains encompasses a wide variety of products. Fair Trade provides protection of a floor price in this product category, so that producers do not have to sell their crop below their cost of sustainable production. In addition, the Fair Trade premium gives farmer or worker organizations the opportunity to invest in the futures of their farms and communities. And Fair Trade standards provide a framework for farms to increase their environmental sustainability.
Featured Producer
Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera “Frontera San Ignacio” was founded in 1968 by a Jesuit priest and 90 associates in order to eliminate intermediaries and obtain better prices for their coffee beans. The producers were tired of the abuse by “coyotes,”...
importers
How to import Fair Trade Beans and Grains
- Sign a Fair Trade USA certification and licensing agreement.
- Pay Fair Trade USA an annual importer fee of $500.
- Purchase Fair Trade Certified beans and grains from Fair Trade producer groups or exporters certified by FLO-Cert. Sell Fair Trade Certified beans and grains to other Fair Trade registered traders and operators.
- Pay at least the Fair Trade minimum price and the designated Fair Trade premium to the certified cooperative--see the Pricing Database
- Submit quarterly reports to Fair Trade USA on Fair Trade Certified imports and sales. Undergo, and comply with, regular desk audits and on-site audits.
Manufacturers and Brands
How to Sell Fair Trade Beans and Grains
- Sign a Fair Trade USA certification and licensing agreement.
- Purchase Fair Trade Certified beans and grains from a registered importer.
- Submit a product profile application for each product to be labeled.
- Submit all packaging, sales and marketing material carrying the Fair Trade Certified logo to Fair Trade USA for approval.
- Submit quarterly reports on Fair Trade Certified beans and grains purchases and product sales. Undergo, and comply with, regular desk audits and on-site audits.
- Brands pay a fee based on quarterly sales of labeled Fair Trade Certified products.
- Please ask about our program for small-scale partners, as lower fees and reporting requirements apply.
- Please note: For composite products with more than one ingredient, all ingredients that can be Fair Trade Certified should be Fair Trade Certified.
- Processed formats and byproducts may also be eligible for certification. For example, quinoa vodka or rice sake with ingredients sourced from Fair Trade Certified producers may be eligible for Fair Trade certification. For more information and for a list of all Fair Trade ingredients contact Fair Trade USA.
